Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 177,272	$ (9,183)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	103,941	120,810
Provision for losses (recoveries) on receivables, net	785	(2,922)
Share-based compensation	9,196	9,240
Deferred income taxes (benefit)	(67,497)	1,357
Tax benefits from stock plans	(58)	(2,367)
Net gain on sale of assets and other	(1,134)	(1,569)
Write-down of inventory	9,305	7,593
Asset impairment	1,628	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	4,157	(141,636)
Accounts receivable sold, net	23,891	49,890
Increase in inventories	(8,130)	(202,995)
Decrease in other assets	14,946	60,100
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses, other payables and income taxes	(145,900)	59,172
Increase in other long-term liabilities	12,433	8,444
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	134,835	(44,066)
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(82,505)	(51,539)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	11,371	52,253
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investments	0	4,224
Decrease (increase) in deposit for letters of credit	30,404	(3,258)
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities	(40,730)	1,680
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Decrease in documentary letters of credit	(59,492)	(54,741)
Short-term borrowings, net change	38,091	(8,253)
Repayments on long-term debt	(63,542)	(23,473)
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps	52,733	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	1,463
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans	1,488	10,062
Cash dividends	(41,657)	(41,313)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(46)	(3,980)
Tax benefits from stock plans	58	2,367
Net cash flows used by financing activities	(72,367)	(117,868)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(10,469)	4,503
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,269	(155,751)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	222,390	399,313
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 233,659	$ 243,562